"People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they're all asleep at the switch. Consequently we are living in the Age of Human Error."
-- Florence King
Many readers have argued that The Great Gatsby examines (or indicts) "The American Dream." Many have argued that it focuses on the American class system and its flaws. You may agree or disagree, but in order to understand the novel on a deep level, it's helpful to understand your own views of our national dreams and different social classes. Use the information and images below to jump-start your thoughts. Consider your personal definition of The American Dream. Consider what it means to be in the social class you were born into and what it would take to move to a different class.
The American Dream:
Some say The American Dream is to become wealthy, powerful, or famous. Some claim it's just to be happy. The one thing we know for sure, is that different people certainly define it differently. For an example of the traditional view, read this poem by Emma Lazarus (part of which is inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty):
THE NEW COLOSSUS -- Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows worldwide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” |
. . . or, for a view of what many modern Americans think of the dream (and a view very closely tied to the novel), listen closely to the lyrics of the following song by Peter Gabriel.
Those traditional interpretations may not be your own, so what is your American dream? Is it achievable?
Here are some other viewpoints to compare to yours:
THE SOCIAL CLASSES:
Though we don't have "royalty" in America, we certainly have a social hierarchy (or social class system) that offers benefits or challenges to different groups differently. When we see, for example, wealthy, famous, or powerful people getting away with behavior that would send others to jail; or when we see scholarship opportunities or assistance programs offered to some that are unavailable to others, the class system seems obvious. When we look at our own social classes and how we see the other classes, we can gain some interesting insight into the novel.
SOCIAL CLASS SKILLS: We grow up in training for whatever social class we're born into. Our parents, neighborhoods, and social acquaintances pass on their skills to us. Switching social classes would mean developing entirely new skills. As you look through the lists below, consider the skills that you or your parents/family have.
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COULD YOU SURVIVE IN POVERTY (THE LOWER CLASS)?
How many of these tasks do you know how to accomplish? 1. I know which churches and agencies provide free clothing. 2. I know which grocery stores’ garbage bins can be accessed for thrown-away food. 3. I know how to get someone out of jail. 4. I know how to fight and defend myself physically. 5. I know how to get a gun, even if I have a police record. 6. I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the laundromat. 7. I know how to get by without a checking account. 8. I know how to live without electricity or a phone. 9. I know all the local bus routes and times. 10. I can entertain a group of friends with my personality and my stories. 11. I know how to move in half a day. 12. I know what to do when I don’t have money to pay the bills. 13. I am very good at trading and bartering. |
COULD YOU SURVIVE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS?
How many of these tasks do you know how to accomplish? 1. I know how to get my kids into Little League, piano lessons, etc. 2. I know how to properly set a table. 3. I know which stores are likely to carry the clothing that my family likes to wear. 4. My children know the best name brands in clothing. 5. I know how to order in a nice restaurant. 6. I know how to use a credit card, checking account and savings account. I also understand term life insurance, disability insurance, auto insurance, and homeowner's insurance. 7. I talk to my children about going to university. 8. I know how to help my children with their homework and do not hesitate to call the school if I need additional information. 9. I know how to decorate the house for the different holidays and have decorations on hand. 10. I know how to get a library card. 11. I know how to use many of the tools in the basement or garage. 12. I repair broken items in my house almost immediately, or know a repair service and call it. |
COULD YOU SURVIVE IN WEALTH (THE UPPER CLASS)?
How many of these tasks do you know how to accomplish? 1. I can read a menu in French, English and another language. 2. I have several favorite restaurants in different countries of the world. 3. During the holidays, I know how to hire a decorator to identify the appropriate themes and items with which to decorate the house. 4. I know who my preferred financial adviser, legal service, designer and domestic-employment service are. 5. I have at least two residences that are staffed and maintained. 6. I know how to ensure confidentiality and loyalty from my domestic staff. 7. I have at least two or three “screens” (people or devices who keep people whom I do not wish to see away from me). 8. I fly in my own plane, the company plane, or business class. 9. I know how to enroll my children in the preferred private schools. 10. I know how to host the parties that “key” people attend. 11. I am on the boards of at least two charities. 12. I know the hidden rules of the local exclusive women’s or men’s organizations. 13. I support or buy the work of a particular artist. 14. I know how to read a corporate financial statement and analyze my own financial statements. |
SOCIAL CLASS MINDSETS: We inherit more than skill from our class, we also inherit mindsets and viewpoints about the world around us, what's truly valuable, other people, and what kinds of dreams or goals to have. Examine the table in the following document and see if any of the viewpoints of a certain class match your own.
CLASS MINDSET TABLE (link to document)
CLASS MINDSET TABLE (link to document)